I slowly lowered my head, deliberately avoiding Mu Yanfeng's scorching gaze, which felt as though it could burn right through me, and stammered, "I... I really haven't remembered yet." My voice was as thin as a mosquito's, laden with a trace of panic and helplessness.
Mu Yanfeng sighed softly, the sound carrying the cool chill of late-autumn wind. A flicker of disappointment uncontrollably surfaced in his eyes, casting a shadow that instantly blanketed his entire face.
The atmosphere inside the room lapsed once more into an awkwardness as oppressive as frozen ice. My heart was a tangled mess of yarn, thoughts weaving and twisting together—impossible to cut clear, impossible to untangle.
Driven by some invisible force, I somehow found the courage to raise my head, looked resolutely at Mu Yanfeng, and said, "Senior Brother, no matter what happened in the past, now that I am here in the sect, I only feel a sense of inexplicable peace simply having you by my side."
Mu Yanfeng gave a slight start. A flash of surprise first crossed his eyes, brilliant and dazzling like a shooting star suddenly piercing the night sky.
Yet this radiance vanished in a heartbeat. He quickly regained his composure, though beneath that calm exterior a faint ripple still seemed to linger, and said slowly, "Hanxi, I am very glad to hear you say that."
I bit my lip. The strange sentiment churning within my heart grew ever more intense, crashing against my chest in wave after wave like a surging tide. But in the end, I still lacked the courage to voice these feelings aloud.
Just then, a commotion rose from outside.
"Terrible! There is a disturbance in the back mountain!" a disciple shouted in panic.
Mu Yanfeng's expression hardened like a general facing battle, resolute and steadfast. "Junior Sister, stay here, I'll go take a look." With that, his figure swept away in a rush like a swift wind.
I watched Mu Yanfeng's hastily retreating back, my heart lifting into my throat along with him. After a long while, there was still no sign of him returning. Unable to contain my inner worry any longer, I decided to head to the back mountain to see what was happening.
When I reached the back mountain, I saw Mu Yanfeng locked in fierce combat with a dark shadow. Fine beads of sweat covered his forehead, glistening crystal-clear, yet his expression remained as steadfast as an unyielding mountain peak.
I called out anxiously, "Senior Brother, I've come to help you!"
Mu Yanfeng shouted loudly, "Junior Sister, it's dangerous! Don't come over!" His voice was filled with urgency and concern.
How could I possibly worry about such things now? Steeling my heart, I drew my sword and rushed forward. However, the shadow's power was immense, crashing like turbulent waves; caught off guard, I was knocked back several steps, stumbling and nearly falling.
Seeing this, Mu Yanfeng flew to my side without hesitation to shield me, his eyes brimming with care as he asked anxiously, "Junior Sister, are you alright?"
I shook my head, fighting through the pain in my body, and said, "I'm fine, Senior Brother, let's take it down together!"
With our combined forces, the shadow gradually began to lose ground. Its movements grew sluggish, and its momentum was no longer as arrogant as before.
Just as victory was within our grasp, the shadow suddenly unleashed a formidable burst of power that surged forth like a broken dam. Taking us by surprise, it vanished in an instant.
Mu Yanfeng stared in the direction where the shadow had disappeared, his brow furrowed, his gaze filled with thought and worry. I gently tugged at his sleeve and comforted him, "Senior Brother, don't worry too much, we'll find a way to track it down."
He turned to look at me, his gaze melting into a tenderness like the warmth of spring sunshine: "Hanxi, thank you."
At that moment, the water-like moonlight gently washed over us, draping us in a layer of silver gauze. I gazed at his face—its contours appeared even more resolute and alluring under the moonlight—and the strange feeling in my heart surged up uncontrollably once more. Yet I held it back, my cheeks flushing slightly as I lowered my head in shyness.
By the time we returned to the sect, it was already late into the night. The surroundings were utterly silent save for the occasional chirp of insects. Mu Yanfeng walked me back to my room, and at the doorway, he said softly, "Junior Sister, get some good rest." His voice was as gentle as a whisper in the night breeze.
I murmured a soft reply, my voice light and faint as a falling blossom. The moment he turned to leave, a thousand words surged through my heart. I wanted so badly to call out to him, but the words stuck in my throat as if blocked by something, and in the end, I swallowed them back down.
The next day, sunlight spilled through the window into the room. Mu Yanfeng and I went together to the council hall where the Master and elders were gathered, ready to discuss the matter of the back mountain's dark shadow with them.
Everyone wore grave expressions, as if shrouded beneath a thick, heavy layer of dark clouds. The Master spoke first, his voice deep and solemn: "Yanfeng, Hanxi, tell us in detail everything you saw and heard yesterday."
Mu Yanfeng nodded slightly, his expression stern as he said, "Master, esteemed elders, that dark shadow was immensely powerful and bizarre. This disciple believes it is very likely the manifestation of demonic energy." His gaze was resolute, his tone steady.
Hearing this, the elders all revealed looks of shock, as though hearing catastrophic news. One elder frowned and said, "If it truly is demonic energy, then this matter is no trivial affair." His voice was laden with worry and unease.
I continued, "The shadow moved with agility and seemed to have a clear purpose, unlike ordinary demonic entities. Furthermore, Qingmiao was also trapped in the back mountain previously, so this disciple suspects that demonic entities may reside there."
The Master pondered for a moment, that brief silence seeming to bring time itself to a halt. He said slowly, "Could it be that the evil force sealed away many years ago is showing signs of resurrection? Qingmiao's entrapment last time may well be connected to this." His tone carried deep worry and doubt.
Mu Yanfeng said, "This disciple has also harbored this concern. If this is indeed the case, I fear a massive disaster is coming." His brow furrowed tightly, forming a deep vertical crease.
At that moment, another elder spoke up: "Regardless, we must make thorough preparations, strengthen the sect's defenses, and dispatch disciples to investigate thoroughly." His voice was firm and powerful, carrying unquestionable resolve.
Everyone nodded in agreement, their expressions serious and solemn.
After the discussion concluded, Mu Yanfeng and I left the council hall. Walking along the path, he said to me with a heavy heart, "Junior Sister, I fear this will be another fierce battle." His eyes revealed uncertainty and worry for the future.
I looked at him, my gaze firm and courageous, and said, "Senior Brother, no matter what happens, I will fight alongside you."
Mu Yanfeng smiled faintly, a trace of relief shining in his eyes like a glimmer of hope in the dark.
Yet right at that moment, a disciple came running over in a panic, shouting, "Senior Brother, another disciple has gone missing in the back mountain!"
Mu Yanfeng and I exchanged a glance, our inner unease growing more intense. He made a decisive judgment: "Gather the disciples; we are heading back to the mountain to investigate."
We searched the back mountain cautiously, leaving no corner unchecked. The surroundings were frighteningly quiet, with only the sound of our light footsteps and nervous breathing echoing in the air.
Suddenly, an eerie, chilling wind swept through, rustling the leaves like a demon's whisper. A disciple stammered, "This... this place is too bizarre." His voice was brimming with fear.
Mu Yanfeng shouted in a low voice, "Everyone be careful!" His voice was deep and powerful, attempting to offer the group a shred of reassurance.
At that exact moment, a faint, shadowy black figure materialized ahead and lunged swiftly toward us like a streak of black lightning. The disciples panicked instantly, cries of alarm erupting one after another. Mu Yanfeng stepped forward, swinging his sword at the shadow with fierce and decisive movements.
The shadow nimbly dodged aside and vanished back into the dark as if it had never appeared at all. We continued our pursuit, only to find ourselves trapped within a fog-shrouded zone where the scenery blurred into obscurity—this was identical to what Qingmiao had experienced that day.
My heart tightened as I said, "Senior Brother, I'm afraid this is a trap." A trace of tremor laced my voice.
Mu Yanfeng said calmly, "Don't panic, everyone. Maintain your formations." His tone was steady and composed, intended to stabilize everyone's emotions.
Just as we tried to find a way out, eerie laughter echoed from all around us, making our hair stand on end.
"Hahahaha... A bunch of fools overestimating your own strength, daring to trespass here." A bizarre voice reverberated around us, sounding as though it came from the nethermost depths of the abyss.
Mu Yanfeng shouted, "What kind of monster are you? Show yourself!" His voice was filled with anger and majesty.
The shadow appeared once more, this time clearer than before, revealing a ferocious face—distorted and terrifying, like a fiend straight from hell. A dense aura of demonic energy radiated from it, making it hard to breathe.
The disciples hastily unleashed their spells, casting brilliant lights as they engaged the shadow in fierce combat. But the shadow's strength was formidable; many disciples were injured and fell to the ground, groans of pain filling the air.
Seeing this, Mu Yanfeng's eyes widened. He exerted his full strength, unleashing a powerful sword aura that cut through the air like a rainbow, temporarily driving the shadow back.
"Everyone fall back!" Mu Yanfeng shouted, his voice resolute and unyielding.
We fled the back mountain in a hurry, bringing the injured disciples with us. Every face was written with exhaustion and fear.
Having hurriedly escaped the back mountain with the injured disciples, we returned to the sect and immediately went to report to the Master.
Hearing our account, the Master was struck with dismay, his face instantly turning as pale as a sheet of blank paper.